Chandigarh, September 13 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that the Seva Pakhwada will be celebrated with fervor and large-scale participation in Ambala Cantonment from September 17 to October 2. He said the fortnight of service coincides with the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 and the birth anniversaries of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.
Addressing a large gathering at Lord Mahavir Jain Public School in Ambala Cantonment, Vij said, “We must actively participate in Seva Pakhwada. Seeing the enthusiasm of so many workers here today fills me with energy. Our workers are our oxygen and true strength.”
He outlined the activities planned during the fortnight, blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, health camps, exhibitions, intellectual dialogues, Namo Marathon, seminars, distribution of aids to differently-abled citizens, art competitions under Viksit Bharat, tree plantation drives (Namo Van), creation of Namo Parks, sports tournaments, and more.
Highlighting key initiatives, Vij said that in each of BJP’s four mandals, 75 people will donate blood on the Prime Minister’s 75th birthday. Photos of these blood donors will be displayed at BJP offices. Similarly, 75 saplings will be planted in each mandal under the Namo Van program. He urged party officials to identify suitable land for tree plantation so that Ambala Cantonment becomes greener, “Planting trees will be the biggest gift to Prime Minister Modi,” he said. Health check-up camps and exhibitions will also be organized alongside. Vij stressed the need for mass cleanliness campaigns, that “The monsoon season has just ended, and every street and locality now demands cleanliness. Booth-level teams must take initiative in their respective areas. A clean Ambala will be the most meaningful tribute to Modi ji.”
Sharing personal experiences, Vij said that “Prime Minister Modi rose from being a simple volunteer to the Prime Minister of India – a journey shaped by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). I myself was inspired during my college days when my professor Gopal Kishan ji introduced me to ABVP and RSS. For the past 100 years, RSS has been working tirelessly in multiple fields for the nation and society. Out of its 48 wings, one is the BJP.”
Vij also attacked opposition parties, citing his efforts to build an 8 km-long embankment on Tangri river that saved Ambala Cantonment from flooding this monsoon when record 43,000 cusecs of water flowed into the river. “For 70 years, those who ruled never built embankments. When I did, the Opposition expressed deep anguish instead of appreciating it.” He revealed that desilting work along the Tangri river was stalled due to opposition interference, vigilance complaints, and ongoing court cases. “Had the work not been stopped, water would not have reached the other side of the river,” Vij asserted.
Responding to criticism, Vij said, “I too spent many years in the Opposition, but I never blocked development works. Today, if I am here, it is because of the work I have done, not by obstructing work.” He also cited stormwater drainage pipelines laid in Ambala Cantonment which prevented waterlogging in markets.
The program was attended by Municipal Council Chairperson Swarn Kaur, Vice-Chairman Lalta Prasad, BJP leaders Sanjeev Soni, Rajiv Gupta Dimple, Ashish Aggarwal, Vijender Chauhan, B.S. Bindra, Ajay Baveja, Harsh Bindra, Pravesh Sharma, Puneet Sarpal, Fakirchand Saini, Tarvinder Singh Sonu, Narendra Rana, Balwinder Singh Shahpur, Councillor Madanlal, Bharat Kochhar, Rambabu Yadav and a large number of enthusiastic workers.
